"You're too tall to be a penguin" is something my older brother used to say to me... I don't think it means anything, but it just one of those things that we use...... Kinda like this blog: It doesn't really mean anything. Just me.

March 29, 2006

So I'm finally done with Naitonal Boards....time for a little fun! Tonight I went to VANS with my friend to let loose and burn off some energy. There are all sorts of people on the catwalk with video and digital cameras... taking picutres all over the place, but sometimes I feel as if someone is watching me. Tonight someone WAS!!

As I finished my session and was taking off my skates, a dude and his wife came to talk to me. He works with Disney to provide them with skating talent for their park and events. Apparently he wants me to skate for a Thursday night promotion for the new Destination Everest ride at Animal Kingdom. I'd be in full "mountaineer" costume for 4 hours... just skating around, interacting with the guests (30 mins at a time).

The only thing that has me put off is that the guy didn't have a business card. I'm not giving him any personal information (other than my phone number) until he can give me something that has a company name on it with contact information. If it all checks out it sounds fun... we'll see what happens.

March 28, 2006

16 strangers were arranged into 4 groups for an expieriment. Each group then entered Manhattan using one of several means (1 group came by boat, 1 by train, 1 by cab, ect). Their goal was to find a way to meet up with each other in the city.

Now, you may say, that could take forever! Experts in group mentality, however, gave them very good odds.

The expieriment started at 9am and by noon they had all found each other. Think about it; there are only a handful of really big "get lost points" in Manhattan: Times Square, Empire State Building, Grand Central Station. I believe two of the groups met in Times Sqaure, and the other two met at the Empire State Building. It's also interesting because as the participants got into the project, they started to really use their resources; shy people were approaching everybody for information, they made signs and tried to stand out so that others could find them....... it worked like a charm.

I went online looking for the specifics of this project and came across websites for "Flash Mobs" in Manhattan. For those that don't know, this is a bunch of people who agree to converge on a specific spot at a specific time (for example; Nick's Shoe store @ 4:40pm). Timing is everything because all of the sudden there are hundreds of people mobbing the location at once.....it's really weird.

So what does this say about people: Well, for starters; goals are extreamly powerful. Having goals and working toward them makes us use our resources at a remarkable level of efficiency. Then there is the social aspect; people will do things that are completely out of their individual comfort zone if it fits with a group social acceptance.

March 27, 2006

It's over... It's all done and gone! My National Board Entries are on their way to New Jersey to be scored. This box of paper has been on my brain now since September 2005. With it done, I feel a huge weight lifted from my shoulders.... I can SMILE again!!!

Today was my first day back to school after being on Spring Break. Normally, this would be a bummer, but today it feels awesome!! I can finally start tackling all the work that has piled up at school. Yes, my "to do" list is a mile long, but I can acutally WORK on it....YAHOO!!!

My next step is to take the other 6 computerized tests this summer. Then it's a waiting game until my results come one Thanksgiving which is fine with me...... all that matters is that I'm DONE WITH MY BOX AND IT'S FINALLY GONE!!!!YAHHOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!